Black-faced Grosbeak

Fairly common in brushy fields and coastal scrub of Yucatan Peninsula region, where 'bob-WHITE!' song sounds just like that of other bobwhites. Usually found in groups or pairs, sometimes not far from villages or other human habitation; best seen on quiet roads and trails. Like most quail, flushes explosively from close range with excited calling, and perches readily up in trees when flushed. The only quail of open habitats in most of its range; compare Singing Quail, which occurs inside tropical forest.

A remarkably patterned quail, uncommon and difficult to spot as it runs through open grassy woodlands in dry regions of the southwest U.S. and Mexico. Male looks like he’s are wearing a black-and-white helmet; otherwise look for bold spots and streaks covering body and wings. Female is more subtly patterned with shades of brown; look for rounded, puffy head shape. Between bursts of running, often crouches motionless and becomes nearly invisible. Rarely flies unless flushed at very close range; most often seen crossing a road or trail. Male song is a rich descending whistle with unique ethereal tone like an incoming spaceship.

Small and slim with a thick, pale eyebrow, a dark crown with a pale central crown stripe, and a heavily striped back reminiscent of the patterning of a snipe. Often perches acrobatically, gripping two stems at once. Breeds in open wet marshlands with scattered bushes or trees, often in areas with sedges; uses reed beds on migration; winters in West Africa, where it uses extensive shallow marshes. Song is fast and chattering. Rare across much of range; population is declining fast due to habitat loss.